One of the Premier League's most public feuds shows little sign of abating after Karl Henry described Joey Barton as "embarrassing".

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers captain has a history of hostility with Barton dating back to the latter's Newcastle United days but the matter appears to have inflamed since the midfielder's switch to Queens Park Rangers.

The pair clashed on the pitch during QPR's 3-0 win at Molineux on Saturday, prefacing a childish spat variously conducted via Twitter, television and audio interviews which continued to rage on Monday night.

Barton used Twitter after the game to call Henry "a Sunday league player" and "a mug" while also suggesting Mick McCarthy, the Wolves manager, must have been on drugs when he declined to sign him from Newcastle.

The Football Association duly examined the Twitter feed and, keen not to be seen interfering with players' rights to freedom of speech, had almost certainly resolved to take no action over a possible disrepute charge when Barton appeared as a guest on Sky Sports' Goals on Sunday.

Once in front of the camera he claimed that Henry is "always sticking his foot in and trying to hurt people" and is only "out to make a name for himself". It is understood FA officials may now wish to review that footage.

That Sunday viewing proved the cue for further retaliation from Henry. "Joey Barton was telling everyone he is on 80 grand a week as usual. That is him," he said. "He always does that during the game. Always. He riles a few people up when he says those things and tells everybody how great he is.

"It is just embarrassing really. If that is what he wants to do, he can carry on doing it but that is why a lot of people dislike him. He has tried to reinvent his image but it is probably the same old story.

"I know we had our battle last season. I don't want to keep going over it. But [on Saturday] they were winning the match. There was no need for him to keep going on the way he does."

Although McCarthy declined to respond to the comments Barton had made in his direction he enthusiastically endorsed Henry's stance. "Opinions are like backsides," he said. "We have all got one but it isn't always wise to air them in public.

"Karl is one of the best pros I've ever worked with in terms of his attitude and conscientiousness to his profession. He has earned himself the right to play in the Premier League by his guts and determination and made himself a better player. I've got nothing but admiration for him and never, ever, has he gone out to hurt anyone. In defence of my player, who has been with me for five years, I'd hang my hat on him all day long. He is a great guy.

On the subject of Barton's assertion that Henry is a "Sunday League player" McCarthy was scathing. "Not unless Wolves are in the Dog and Duck League! He is a Premier League player," he said. "He captained us to the Championship and has been instrumental in our success over the last five years."